The Regnum Christi Movement offers its members some guidelines of a gospel-based spirituality as an ideal of Christian life. The spiritual path that Regnum Christi members walk mainly consists in knowing, loving, imitating, and proclaiming Christ. This is the path and these are the goals.

Below, we offer some resources that can help nurture the spiritual life of Movement members and of any Christian.

After John had been arrested, Jesus came to
Galilee proclaiming the Gospel of God: "This is the time
of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand.
Repent, and believe in the Gospel." As he passed
by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his
brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea; they
were fishermen. Jesus said to them, "Come after me,
and I will make you fishers of men." Then they
abandoned their nets and followed him. He walked along
a little farther and saw James, the son of
Zebedee, and his brother John. They too were in a
boat mending their nets. Then he called them. So
they left their father Zebedee in the boat along with
the hired men and followed him.

Introductory Prayer: Lord, I
thank you for this time to be with you. I
don’t deserve your close friendship, and yet you offer
me the intimacy of your heart. I trust in
your goodness and hope in your infinite mercy. I love
you and wish to give up anything that would
keep me from you.

Petition: Lord, give me
compunction of heart and the grace of a true conversion.

1.
Prerequisite of the Kingdom: “The kingdom of God is
at hand,” “The kingdom of God is within you,”
and “You are not far from the kingdom,” are all
expressions of Our Lord. He came to establish a
kingdom, one that would begin here on earth and continue
on into eternity. We build the kingdom within ourselves
by practicing virtue; we allow God’s grace to purify
us from selfishness and vice and to build us up
in faith, hope and charity. There is, however, a
pre-requisite for grace to begin and continue to work
its ongoing miracle: acknowledgement of our failings and belief
in Christ. We must “repent, and believe in the Gospel”
(Mark 1:15). Am I aware of my constant need
to turn to God and turn from my daily sins?
Can I truly say that I’m striving to overcome
my sins and faults so that I can be more
like Christ and closer to him?

2. Interior Sackcloth
and Ashes: The type of penance that Jesus seeks must
begin in our interior. When Peter becomes aware of
who Christ is, he falls on his knees and
exclaims, “Leave me, Lord, for I am a sinful man”
(Luke 5:8). “Jesus’ call to conversion and penance, like
that of the prophets before him, does not aim
first at outward works, ‘sackcloth and ashes,’ fasting and
mortification, but at conversion of heart, interior conversion. Without this,
such penances remain sterile and false; however, interior conversion
urges expression in visible signs, gestures and works of
penance” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 1420). The
best “expression in visible signs” of conversion and penance
is our imitation of Christ. The apostles “abandoned their
nets and followed him” (Mark 1:18).

3. Venues of Conversion:In Number 1434 of the Catechism we learn that
conversion and penance are not things we embrace only
once or only after serious sin, by going to confession
and then leaving them aside. “The interior penance of
a Christian,” rather, “can be expressed in many and
various ways.” Fasting, prayer and almsgiving are mentioned as
venues for expressing our ongoing conversion. Other more specific ways
are “efforts at reconciliation with one’s neighbor, tears of
repentance, concern for the salvation of one’s neighbor, the
intercession of the saints, and the practice of charity
‘which covers a multitude of sins.’” Does my heart
resonate with these ways, and if not, why not? What
could be more important than an intimate friendship with
my Lord and God, with whom I hope to spend
all eternity?

Conversation with Christ: Jesus, my days are booked
up with so much activity and noise that it’s
extremely hard for me even to reflect about my need
for conversion of heart. Please help me to turn
away from my sins and bad habits by turning to
you and imitating you. Wash me of my sins,
and draw me close to you.

Resolution: I
will meekly apologize for having offended someone without touching on
anything negative about that person.

The daily meditation is a service of Regnum Christi that offers people a Gospel reflection through e-mail. You can view the weekly meditation on this link or listen the podcast version here.